Grand National Horseracing Terms
If you’re new to Grand National horseracing, the following definitions of frequently used horseracing terms will help you get the most from your Grand National experience.
Handicap: The term handicap is a term used in Grand National horseracing to refer to a race where horses carry varying weights. These weights are referred to as imposts and come in the form of lead weights carried in pockets in the saddle.
The idea behind handicapping is to create the most competitive race possible by slowing down form horses with additional weight, whilst allocating lighter weight to less fancied horses. Handicaps for each race are allocated by the racing secretary, who uses a complex mathematical formula to arrive at the specific weight each horse in the field is required to carry.
Steeplechase: A form of National Hunt racing also known as a ‘chase’, which involves horses jumping obstacles during the course of a race. Less experienced horses are often run in races called hurdles that feature less challenging obstacles.
Novice: A Grand National horseracing term used to describe a horse who has never won a race over hurdles in a specific period prior to or during the National Hunt racing season.
For the 2008/2009 season the term novice refers specifically to a horse that has not won a hurdle or steeplechase before the 27th of April 2008. Horses winning either steeplechases or hurdles for the first time between March 1st 2008 and April 28th 2008 can also be entered into novice races.
Furlong: A frequently used horseracing term and unit of measurement rarely used outside of the sport. A furlong is 66 feet or an eighth of a mile. All race distances are given in miles and furlongs with the longest steeplechases such as the Grand National covering four miles and four furlongs.
Going: The going refers to a set of Grand National horseracing terms that describe the firmness of the horseracing track. There are seven levels of firmness ranging from heavy to hard. Because National Hunt horseracing takes place in winter, racetracks are often soft or heavy, although the Aintree racetrack tends to provide consistently good going.
Bay: A Grand National horse that is brown to reddish brown in colour, frequently with a black mane. Other frequently used terms for describing horses are gelding, which refers to a castrated male horse and mare which refers to a female horse.
